The controversial film Emilia Perez surprisingly won Best Original Song at the Oscars, leaving many questioning the quality of its music. The film’s soundtrack, composed by French musical directors Camille and Clément Ducol, has been widely criticized for its poor lyrics, thematic inconsistencies, and lack of authentic Mexican influence.
A Deep Dive into the Musical Missteps of Emilia Perez
The film’s musical shortcomings mirror the broader criticisms leveled against Emilia Perez: a lack of Mexican perspective in a story set in Mexico, superficial portrayal of trans experiences, and Selena Gomez’s unconvincing Spanish. The soundtrack fails to capture the vibrant musical landscape of Mexico City, opting instead for generic pop sounds and forced Mexican slang.
One of the most glaring issues is the Oscar-winning song “El Mal.” While the song aims to denounce corruption, its lyrics feel contrived, relying on a stereotypical use of Mexican colloquialisms. Karla Sofía Gascón’s vocals, though technically impressive, are heavily processed with Auto-Tune, further distancing the song from authenticity. The Ducols’ musical expertise is evident in the production and arrangements, but their lyrical and thematic choices fall flat.
Selena Gomez’s Spanish and Other Linguistic Mishaps
Selena Gomez’s contributions to the soundtrack also draw criticism. While “Mi Camino” has the potential to be a catchy pop song, Gomez’s struggles with Spanish pronunciation hinder its impact. Another song, “Bienvenida,” suffers from a fundamental translation error, using “bienvenida” (welcome) instead of “de nada” (you’re welcome). These errors highlight a lack of linguistic and cultural sensitivity in the songwriting process.
Further fueling the controversy is the viral clip of “La Vaginoplastía,” a song that reduces gender-affirming care to a crude and simplistic explanation. The lyrics are not only offensive but also musically uninspired. Similarly, “El Amor” misinterprets the complexities of gender dysphoria with simplistic and inaccurate portrayals.
A Disappointing Win and a Missed Opportunity
Emilia Perez‘s Best Original Song win feels particularly jarring given the Academy’s stated commitment to diversity and inclusion. The film and its music fail to authentically represent the very communities it seeks to portray. The award win, therefore, feels like a missed opportunity to recognize truly exceptional and representative musical talent.
The controversy surrounding Emilia Perez‘s music raises important questions about cultural sensitivity, representation, and artistic integrity in filmmaking. The film serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of genuine engagement with the communities and cultures being depicted on screen. The poor quality of the music ultimately underscores the film’s broader failings, leaving a lasting impression of superficiality and missed potential.
